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| Paving Over Agriculture and History: The Gill Tract Development | ||
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UC Berkeley Slates Albany Gill Tract
for Development The Gill Tract, a 10-acre parcel of farmland just north of Berkeley, is one of the Bay Area¹s last agricultural sites. Located at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Buchanan Street, the Gill Tract and the unmistakable grove of Monterey Pines serve as the gateway to Albany and its rich agricultural history. The Gill Tract has been under cultivation for over 100 years. In 1904 Edward Gill purchased 104 acres of land, part of which later became the Gill Tract, and founded a nursery that became nationally renowned for its antique roses. In 1928, the University of California purchased the nursery. Since the mid-40s the Gill Tract has been home to the UC Division of Biological Control, a group studying the control of insect pests using predator-prey populations as an alternative to the conventional use of pesticides. Every summer since the 1980s, UC professor Dr. Miguel Altieri has conducted research in sustainable agriculture, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) along with a community farm on the site. The Gill Tract has served not only as an educational resource, but has also promoted food security for the local Bay Area community. In the early 90s, the Gill Tract was home to a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program run by Patrick Archie, a UCB graduate student. Last summer, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), a program of the Urban Gardening Institute, harvested over one ton of produce from less than one-acre at the Gill Tract for use by a shelter in Oakland. Employing at-risk youth, providing a local source of organic produce, and running training workshops, these programs are examples of the future possibilities for the Gill Tract as a community gathering space, a valuable educational and research tool, and a food source. Currently, the UC, under pressure to find more affordable housing, is looking to develop the 26-acre northeastern portion of the University Village, including the Gill Tract. Development will include new graduate student housing units, retail shops, and the relocation of Little League baseball fields and a community center. The university¹s Request for Proposals, released in July 2002, gives no mention of agricultural and open space preservation of the Gill Tract, located in the northern portion of this site. Urban Roots, a coalition of concerned UC students, faculty and community members, are organizing to work in cooperation with the university to preserve the Gill Tract. In November 2002, Urban Roots submitted a written proposal to the university, stating that redevelopment of the 26-acre San Pablo property should be confined to the 16 acres that have already been developed with infrastructure. While striving for high density development on this land by introducing such concepts as car share programs and co-housing, Urban Roots proposes that the remaining acreage be preserved for its historical use as open space and agricultural land. At the same time, city planners, urban gardeners, and school teachers are working together to come up with a vision for the preserved land that would incorporate all stakeholders interests, some of which include a community gathering space, demonstration gardens, a city park, a community café and museum in the Gill family bungalow, a Center for Urban Ecological Living, a field laboratory for UC students and faculty, and an urban farm. In late February, the University chose Tennessee-based Allen & O¹Hara as the development agency for the project. According to the UC¹s plans, redevelopment of this property will start as early as Fall 2005. For Urban Roots and other community members and activists concerned with the future of this valuable resource, this is a crucial time for rallying political support and raising awareness. Development of this land represents the loss of history and a healthy urban ecosystem, the demise of a community urban farm, and the loss of unique research and educational opportunities for our children. In March 2003, Urban Roots will begin a series of meetings with Allen & O¹Hara and UC Capital Projects to discuss the Urban Roots proposal. Urban Roots welcomes letter writing to the Chancellor, phone calls and participation in organizing. To receive more information or to get involved visit www.gilltract.com or email gilltract@yahoo.com. To receive updates join the Urban Roots list-serve at gilltract-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. To view UC Berkeley¹s proposed plans go to www.cp.berkeley.edu. Send letters
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